Fair Value (Details - Valuation Technique and Inputs) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, trading securities	$ 13,680,838	$ 14,395,315
Equities, trading securities	1,122,084	1,094,002
Other invested assets carried at fair value	34,249	71,204
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	637,830	833,247
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, trading securities	842,515	657,273
Equities, trading securities	33,252	27,728
Other invested assets carried at fair value	95,651	87,099
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	15,864	18,321
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, trading securities	289,135	233,235
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	2.80%	2.80%
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	10.10%	4.50%
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	3.70%	3.70%
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, trading securities	25	12,625
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.00%	6.80%
Prepayment speed	20.00%	20.00%
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	11.20%	11.70%
Prepayment speed	20.00%	20.00%
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	9.00%	9.10%
Prepayment speed	20.00%	20.00%
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, trading securities	453,728	310,509
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	4.00%	4.00%
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	12.20%	12.20%
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	7.20%	7.60%
[FinanceMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities, trading securities	14,285	13,477
[FinanceMember] | [MinimumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	14.600
Tangible book value multiple	1.100
Liquidity discount	25.00%
Comparable return	10.00%	0.80%
[FinanceMember] | [MaximumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	14.600
Tangible book value multiple	1.100
Liquidity discount	25.00%
Comparable return	10.00%	0.80%
[FinanceMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	14.600
Tangible book value multiple	1.100
Liquidity discount	25.00%
Comparable return	10.00%	0.80%
[TechnologyMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities, trading securities	9,150	6,987
[TechnologyMember] | [MinimumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liquidity discount	25.00%
Adjusted earnings multiple	12.900
Comparable return	14.20%	(1.50%)
Gross revenue/fair value	2.000
[TechnologyMember] | [MaximumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liquidity discount	25.00%
Adjusted earnings multiple	12.900
Comparable return	14.20%	(1.50%)
Gross revenue/fair value	2.000
[TechnologyMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Liquidity discount	25.00%
Adjusted earnings multiple	12.900
Comparable return	14.20%	(1.50%)
Gross revenue/fair value	2.000
[CommunicationsMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities, trading securities	2,143
[CommunicationsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.200
Comparable return	5.00%
[CommunicationsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.200
Comparable return	5.00%
[CommunicationsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.200
Comparable return	5.00%
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	(732)	6,084
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	20.20%	2.60%
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	20.20%	4.60%
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	20.20%	3.20%
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	27,674	24,902
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.200	1.700
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.600	2.100
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.500	1.800
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	20,107	10,000
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.40%	6.50%
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.40%	6.50%
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.40%	6.50%
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	26,939	46,882
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	4.60%	4.70%
Prepayment speed	0.00%	0.00%
Constant default rate	0.30%	2.30%
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	9.00%	9.90%
Prepayment speed	15.00%	15.00%
Constant default rate	35.00%	35.00%
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.40%	7.20%
Prepayment speed	7.00%	7.60%
Constant default rate	13.00%	13.20%
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	15,259
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [MinimumMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%
Recoverability of intangible assets	0
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [MaximumMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%
Recoverability of intangible assets	0
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%
Recoverability of intangible assets	0
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	6,619	1,404
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	2.40%	7.30%
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	9.70%	7.30%
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	4.60%	7.30%
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	$ 15,566	$ 17,976
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [MinimumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	(12.90%)	(38.10%)
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [MaximumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	0.00%	0.00%
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	(11.40%)	(12.10%)